This storybook Craftsman greets you with a large vaulted front porch and is surrounded by a quiet and serene yard. The deck delights with treetop views and is perfect for entertaining. 9’ ceilings and gorgeous stone fireplace create a feeling of comfort and warmth. The kitchen boasts fabulous cabinet colors and new stainless appliances. Two bedrooms on the main level, the larger is suitable as an owner’s suite with coved ceilings, a sitting area, and a walk-in closet. Heading to the lower level you’ll find the oversized owner’s suite with private entrance, full bathroom, and walk-in closet. Great contender for possible ADU conversion, check with the county. The remaining portion of the lower level contains a full workshop with workbenches and storage. This home is only two blocks from the river, yet is out of the flood zone. Close to dining, shops, and transit. Quick drive to downtown PDX!
Tag: Shannon Dooley realtor
Easy Breezy Living in Vancouver
This lovely home is ready for its next adventure!
On the main level the living room has a gas fireplace that is oh so inviting as the days get colder. Use the open space to create a beautiful dining space with sliders that open to the patio while the open kitchen that looks over it all. Separated from the living area is a half bath and an office/den/bonus room. Upstairs the primary suite includes a full bathroom and walk in closet, and the other two bedrooms have a shared Jack/Jill style full bathroom. 2 car garage. Close to the neighborhood park, easy freeway access. Low HOA $39/mo
Milwaukie’s Best
Nope.. I didn’t spell it wrong, we’re talking about Milwaukie, Oregon, a suburb of Portland. I’ll save my opinion on the quality of the beer that shares a similar sounding name.
Milwaukie has the feel of a small town, but is just minutes away from all that Portland has to offer. This was exactly what drew my recent clients to this community. It’s really the best of both worlds for them, they found a feeling of quiet and calm without having to commit to actually living in a small town or leaving the city they love.
There are a ton of community events in Milwaukie that are great for residents and visitors alike. The Milwaukie farmers market is an absolute gem! Every Sunday, May through October, you can find a huge variety of local food items including produce, nuts, bread, snacks, wine and spirits. Additionally there is an impressive array of local crafts and often live music. It’s definitely worth checking out! The city also hosts Fun in the Park and Carefree Sunday events that are great for all ages! As the weather cools you might be interested in their Winter Solstice event at Milwaukie Bay Park where you can watch the Christmas Ships go by while you enjoy the bonfire and some tasty treats. If bonfires aren’t your preferred method of getting warm you might consider warming yourself from the inside at the beer garden – I’ve never checked, but my guess is they don’t serve Milwaukee’s Best.
Clear Eyes, Full Hearts
Today is special. Today I will give M & A keys to their first home. Their first home! It’s just so exciting. I’ve known M for about 15 years, we worked together, we commiserated together, and now when we see one another we can just chill together. It makes me so happy to be the person they chose to lead them through this process.
If you and I have ever had a conversation about real estate you already know that I find true joy in working with first time homebuyers. There is just so much potential that comes with owning a home. In the big picture it’s a way to gain longitudinal wealth, an investment that may be used to propel you into something new, or simply the security of never having your rent raised again. In the day to day there is the feeling of safety, of having a place to grow and evolve, and knowing there is a place that offers comfort the moment you walk through the door. Lastly, we can’t forget the ever present improvements and projects. Sometimes fun and sometimes challenging, home projects almost always come through with an opportunity for growth. You’re going to learn things on YouTube that you never thought you’d need to know!
Charming Alberta Bungalow
This 1909 Alberta Arts bungalow has been lovingly maintained and thoughtfully updated. With high ceilings, large windows and fresh interior paint, this space is full of light! The beautiful, original, fir floors in the formal living and dining room are still in place. Details include original moulding, new lighting, and an updated kitchen and bath. The outdoor areas do not disappoint with sweet covered front and back porches, a backyard patio, established apple and fig trees, grapes, blueberries and strawberries. The home offers off street parking, and is on a designated bike route with a walk score of 91!
Update: This house spent 4 days on the market and sold for $70K over asking!
Let’s Fix It Up!
On a sunny Saturday morning I got a text from a client who saw a house in her neighborhood had come up for sale. It is incredibly rare that things in this small neighborhood come on the market so she was incredibly excited. The house was about a mile away from her parents, who she is incredibly close with, and was just the kind of fixer-upper she was looking for. A couple of hours later there we were, inside this house with amazing bones, great architectural details to work with, and a makeshift trapeze in the bedroom. I mean… really, what else does one need in their first home?
She knew immediately this was the perfect house for her, or it would be after she had a little time to do some fixing. So we got busy talking and came up with a competitive offer. We were up against several developers, who likely had oodles of cash to throw at this property, and we weren’t sure we could compete. And we were right, in the end we were not the highest offer. But our offer was accepted!
Three weeks later I was able to hand my client the keys to her first home. If you know me, you know how much I love giving keys to first time homebuyers. I feel like I’m handing them an endless world of possibilities that this investment will bring in the future. 🏡
Sometimes Everything Changes
My clients loved their California home for decades, they made a lifetime of memories there. They enjoyed amazing friends and neighbors, being close to the beach, and weather that many people just dream about. Their kids were grown, living in Portland, which gave them every opportunity to visit their second favorite city often. There had been talk of a small vacation home in Portland, but they never imagined they would leave their home. Fourteen months ago everything changed. The pandemic caused a lot of people to reevaluate their priorities and for my clients the importance of being geographically close to their kids was clear.
We spent a lot of time touring homes in search of just the right place. When moving to a new city it can take some time to figure out the right neighborhoods and architectural styles to suit you – so we explored. After narrowing down their ideal neighborhoods and really solidifying what they needed in a home we started making offers. It took a couple of times in this fierce market, but when we found their new home we got competitive and it felt like the stars had aligned. Their son and daughter in-law had lived near this home when they first moved to Portland and affectionately called this “the banjo lady house,” because one of the owners was often out front playing her banjo on the porch when they would walk by.
As we moved through our transaction we learned that the sellers and my buyers had a very similar story. Both were leaving their long time homes to be closer to family. Both were artistic and musical, “old hippies,” as they described themselves. Everything about this transition felt right. Soon this home will be the, “flute guy house,” and I just can’t wait to hear the music float through the neighborhood!
Spring Dreams
Sometimes a house just calls to you and with everything in bloom that’s exactly what’s happening here in Portsmouth.
This light and bright 1940’s Cape Cod Bungalow maintains original charm with hardwoods, woodwork, hardware, and a retro kitchen. Updates include vinyl windows, new furnace and AC, new electrical panel, and custom carriage doors on the garage. Those carriage doors are 🤩!! The main living area has an open floor plan with the bedrooms at the back of the house for privacy. This little gem sits on a corner lot with two yard areas including a large fenced yard with deck for your summer gatherings. Close to food carts, New Seasons, Starbucks and more.
If you haven’t explored North Portland now may be the time.
Swanky SW Midcentury
I just love a solid midcentury house. This one is no exception. As my seller prepared for a big move and major life change I helped them update and refresh this amazing SW Portland home. You may not know this about me, but helping sellers prepare for the market is kind of my thing.
This particular Mid Century Modern Daylight Ranch is filled with light, sits on nearly 1/4 acre and has two fireplaces! The hardwood floors are eye catching, there are two fireplaces(!), large windows flood the home with with light, and fresh paint highlights the architecture and updated period lighting. The kitchen has been refreshed and provides a perfectly functional space. I know what you’re saying, “This is all normal house stuff right?” But let’s not forget the amazing basement! This is your space to let your imagination run wild. You could have the best game room in your friend group, create an art studio, or add a second living unit. So many possibilities are ready and waiting!
Piedmont Eye Popper! 😍
Look at this amazing home!! I don’t care who you are – you love this house. It’s got all of the things. Not only is it an awesome Portland Bungalow, but it’s full of Craftsman charm with high ceilings, large windows letting in tons of light, plenty of bedrooms, stylish bathrooms, only the coolest light fixtures… you get where I’m going with this. Oh wait, but that kitchen! Then there’s the rest of the house, the partially finished basement offers tons of flex space and the backyard feels like a private oasis – perfect for an evening hang around the firepit. I highly recommend checking this place out, but be careful.. you might just fall in love.
P.S. Is it just me or does eye popper sound kind of gross? Maybe I’ve been working from home far too long with no “real” human interaction – all of the words start to look so weird. But I digress.
Is Now the Time to Sell?
Sometimes we get to that moment of warmth in the realization that we’ve finally landed in a place where we can settle in, grow some roots, and really get to living. Then sometimes life gets in the way. If 2020 wasn’t that year for you – congratulations!
For some recent clients it was work that surprised them with a forced move across the country. So in the middle of a pandemic they needed to make some minor repairs, paint the entire interior of the house, and have some landscaping taken care of. All while working from home with two small children – one who needed constant supervision so he didn’t break himself (again) and one who required a parent to be their teacher for the majority of the day. No problem!
“No problem,” became a mantra in 2020. It was a year full of new challenges, but in the end it was better than could have been expected. We found new, socially distanced, ways to do business, came up with new solutions to what were now unique scenarios, and ultimately made things happen. Lots of things. Portland real estate was bustling through the first 9 months of the pandemic – and we’re still going.
A lot of people have been on the fence about selling for reasons that are completely understandable, but if you’re willing to be flexible and think out of the box now could be a great time to sell your home. We’ve been in a strong seller’s market for quite awhile, but now more than ever. The combination of historically low inventory in conjunction with great interest rates has left buyers competing for homes across the Portland Metro and Vancouver areas.
If you’re interested in talking about this more feel free to reach out!
Loft Style Living in Multnomah Village
I think Multnomah Village is a gem. It’s quaint, full of character, and undeniably Portland. You can find all of the basic necessities as well as galleries, great coffee shops, restaurants, brew pubs, a wine bar, and all of the shopping – really all of it, everything you could want or need, there’s a shop for it. And it’s just so stinking cute. All of this and it’s about a 5 minute drive from downtown with easy access to the freeway.
Often when we think of condos or lofts we think of downtown, but Multnomah Village really has a lot of great options. I just listed a fabulous loft across the street from the Multnomah Arts Center. It has a downtown feel but it’s in a small building so you don’t feel packed in. Natural light floods this end unit and the higher end finishes make it feel so warm. The gas range and slab granite counters in the kitchen invite you to cook for hours, and the wood floors and fireplace invite you to snuggle in and ride out the winter.
This is a great home, it’s definitely worth checking out.
Hollywood Here I Come!
Wow. This truly stunning home located in Hollywood/Grant Park has undergone a complete designer remodel that successfully preserved it’s beauty as a 1915 bungalow. The home is full of light filled spaces that feel warm and comfortable, even on the rainiest of days. Your eye will be drawn to the custom cabinets and lighting, restored wood windows, restored hardware, and beautiful hardwood floors. Behind the scenes new plumbing, sewer, wiring and electrical panel, water main, HVAC system, radon system, and earthquake retrofit will keep your mind at ease! And just when you thought it couldn’t get better you’ll find the separate living space in the basement with it’s own laundry, full bath and private entrance.
I love working with our sellers to make their home shine when it’s time to list… it’s kind of my thing. 🖤
Woodlawn Darling
This darling Woodlawn midcentury is ready for its next chapter. As soon as you step inside you can feel the love that has been put into this home. The new hardwood floors, revamped bathroom, updated kitchen w/new quartz countertops, and fresh paint give a light and airy feel. The updates, visible and not, give a feeling of peace and security – something we can all use these days. The home has existing, approved, plans for converting the garage into a main bedroom and full bathroom, this home is ready to grow with you!
Mid-Century Beauty in Vancouver
This house is so dreamy! Don’t miss out on this absolutely beautiful 3br/2ba mid-century ranch with stunning views of the Columbia River, Fremont Bridge, and downtown Portland. It has a fireplace, hardwoods, and built-ins… just like you’re hoping it will. To make it even sweeter (not that it needed it) there is a separate 1br/1ba guest quarters downstairs with a private entrance. The almost third of an acre terraced lot is remarkable and has the perfect place to hang out no matter what mood you’re feeling. Garden? Check. Private hot tub? Check. Evening fire with views of the river and city? Check. You get it. Visit the listing for photos and a video tour. 🏡